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Power-generating hogs

North Carolina farmer Loyd Bryant has begun using a new system to process the waste from his 8,640 hogs. Developed with Duke University, it turns manure into electricity, reduces atmospheric pollution and creates usable forms of fertilizer for raising more profitable crops.

Methane from hog waste

Methane powers a turbine

Irrigation and barn-flushing

Methane from hog waste

Waste is flushed from hog barns into a covered pond called an anaerobic digester, where bacteria “digest” the waste and produce methane gas.

Methane powers a turbine

The methane is burned to run a turbine, which produces electricity.

Irrigation and barn-flushing

Liquid waste then flows into an aeration basin, which treats the water for pollutants such as ammonia. The water can then be re-used for irrigation and barn-flushing.